Profile: Ipswich

Just 31km from the Brisbane CBD and backed by strong economic and demographic underpinnings, Ipswich is coming on strong as an investment hotspot.

A vast array of new roads, transport links and accessible residential communities are starting an important new chapter in the development of Ipswich, Queensland’s fastest-growing city.

The city is family friendly due to its retail and community amenities, local employment opportunities and great educational and transport infrastructure.

All these things have combined to make Ipswich one of the fastest-growing populations in Australia.

Over the past decade, the number of Ipswich residents has increased by 700 per cent to 200,000 people, and that will grow to more than 520,000 people by 2041, according to the South East Queensland Regional Plan.

Private and government investment in the area, including the now underway $400 million upgrade of the Ipswich motorway, RAAF Amberley base expansion, and $150 million Ipswich CBD redevelopment, is further driving demand.

These infrastructure initiatives, also a catalyst for job creation and commercial development, will add value to property in the surrounding areas.

Major Infrastructure Projects

$400 million upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway to reduce congestion and improve the road’s flood immunity.

The $1.2 billion expansion of Amberley RAAF base, which will generate 7,000 jobs.

$190 million railway maintenance centre at Wulkuraka.

$150 million CBD redevelopment will inject life into the CBD and link Bell Street directly to Ipswich Mall. A green space, water feature and an events stage are also all on the list.

$1.5 billion Ripley Town Centre development - a project that will become the centre of activity for a 120,000 strong community in Ripley Valley.

The $400 million upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway will reduce congestion and improve safety and travel for over 85,000 motorists each day. It will also support 470 jobs during construction.

The expansion of the RAAF Amberley base is expected to contribute more than $1.2 billion, and almost 7,000 more jobs, to the Queensland economy by 2020.

According to the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans Affairs, Dan Tehan, bases such as Amberley provide a boost for local communities and create jobs outside the people directly employed by the base.

“The beneficiaries of the Amberley base are spread across the community and include the construction and business services sector, wholesale and retail trades, hotel, food and telecommunications industries,” Tehan said.

The long-awaited redevelopment of Ipswich’s CBD kicked off in 2017 and is expected to be completed by 2019, with the entire central district to undergo a dramatic makeover.

It will include an events stage, a laneway precinct, new library and new council building. It also includes space for food, retail and entertainment.